Proud staff at the Amersham Hospital launched a new hydrotherapy pool and facilities on February 18.

Hydrotherapy - or aqua therapy - is used to help recovery after surgery, pain management, to alleviate rheumatism and rehabilitation of neurological patients.

It can also be used in preventative care, which in turn can reduce hospital waiting lists, Bucks NHS Trust said.

The hospital’s hydrotherapy lead Physiotherapist Kirsty Campbell (pictured) said: “During the COVID-19 pandemic many hydrotherapy facilities in the UK had to close and many have not been able to reopen.

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“It is therefore fantastic that we are to welcome patients once again and, on top of that, are able to treat them in fabulous new facilities that can support an even greater range of therapies.”

Despite the multiple benefits, the use of aquatic therapy hasn’t been fully utilised because of misconception as expensive and inefficient.

Thanks to the upgraded facilities, the team at Amersham Hospital will train in Ai Chi- an aquatic therapy technique with evidenced benefits to aid balance, pain, flexibility, mood, memory and function.

Trust Non-Executive Director, Tom Roache (pictured) said: “This project has been driven by the passion of a group of physiotherapists who have championed the benefits of hydrotherapy for their patients and who have worked with our estates teams and the teams from our partner Medirest to develop a state of the art facility the Trust can be very proud of.”